UK’s largest housing association paints pessimistic picture for social housing tenants in years to come
New research by Clarion Housing Group shows that its future residents are likely to be “older, lonelier, in worse health, and financially poorer.”
The 125,000-home housing association recently published its first Resident of the Future report, which uses trend data to make predictions based on several sources, including customer surveys, the UK Housing Review, ONS, and English Housing Survey.
In 2023, Clarion residents reporting a disability rose to 42% from 26% in 2020, while chronic loneliness increased from 10% in 2019 to 16% in 2023. More than half (56%) of residents 55 and over reported having a disability between 2020 and 2023.
Meanwhile, foodbank use among the organisation’s tenants doubled to 14% in 2023 from 2018 and residents reporting going without food increased from 13% to 20% in the same period.
Clarion says it is working to tackle these issues through its charitable foundation, Clarion Futures, which provides customers with services such as help with finances, jobs and training, digital skills and mental health.
Other national trends identified within the report include an ageing population, unpredictable immigration, increasing ethnic diversity and more households.
Clare Miller, chief executive of Clarion, said: “While we cannot predict the future, we have a responsibility to our residents to look ahead and to plan with the knowledge we do have. The projections in this report are the first step in our forecasting which will help us shape our services to meet the evolving needs of our residents and the challenges they face.
“We already offer a number of support services and have shown these to have real impact on our residents’ lives. But if we are to meet the challenges ahead, it must be in tandem with a government prepared to be bold and provide serious investment into both social housing and our public services.
“Every indication so far suggests this government has the will, and I look forward to next year’s Spending Review. Meanwhile, we will continue to do everything we can to support our residents into the future and ensure we are doing our best by those who need us.”
>>See also: Exclusive: Clarion announces ‘ambitious’ restructure to improve housing management
It is expected that housing associations will be under increasing pressure to accommodate the “worst off in society” due to wider economic factors such as persisting home ownership unaffordability, dwindling development of homes and a higher cost-of-living.
In 2008-09, the social rented sector accounted for 18% of households with 9% (two million) renting from housing associations and 9% (1.9 million) renting from local authorities. However, in 2022-23, more households (10% or 2.5 million) were renting from housing associations, and fewer (6% or 1.5 million) from local authorities, according to the English Housing Survey.
The next phase of Clarion’s project will see the creation of an action plan to be incorporated into a new customer strategy in the coming year.
Research has been carried out in response to the Housing Ombudsman’s 2024 recommendation for social landlords to conduct a forecast to highlight gaps in resident services.
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